NORTH Yorkshire Fire service bosses are looking at a merger with Humberside, and could choose that over a money-saving deal with the police.

The county’s fire authority has been looking at ways it could save money by teaming up with the neighbouring Humberside Fire and Rescue, and the board’s vice chairman, York councillor Tony Richardson, said the deal could help save money, and share crucial expertise and equipment on things like water rescues.

Earlier this month, The Press revealed police commissioner Julia Mulligan had suggested bringing senior police and fire officers in North Yorkshire into one body overseeing both 999 services, to save millions of pounds a year.

She wrote a report setting out the plans to oversee and direct both the Chief Constable Dave Jones and Chief Fire Officer Nigel Hutchinson, and to share bases and control rooms.

The fire authority’s alternative Humberside deal has been on the cards for around eight months, Cllr Richardson said, and now Conservative councillors in York are calling for more information on how any option would hit the city.

Cllr David Carr, City of York Council leader, will put forward a motion to councillors tonight asking both the police commissioner and the fire authority to give more details on how their plans would hit York in finances, operation, and safety.

York Press:

He said: “Whilst the Conservative group fully supports both the police and fire services becoming more efficient and adopting more integrated working practices where appropriate, we do not want efficiency alone to become the overriding rationale for any merger, but the safety and welfare of the residents of York and North Yorkshire.”

Cllr Carr said his group wanted to make sure that no political wrangling gets in the way of the negotiations, or overshadows public safety.

They want the council to have more information on all the options, so bosses can be sure any operational benefits promised are based on credible economic and management principles.

He added: “We believe it is time for York to satisfy itself regarding the safety and efficacy of any of the potential ways forward.”